Catching Up

After a month of bag making, I am back to blogging about my clothes.  I created about a dozen bags and sold many of them at art sales this holiday season.  It's been fun and I'll probably continue to make bags.  Stay tuned for a post-new year Etsy page.  

During my time working in my own personal sweatshop, I did a few outfit drawings for special occasions.

Wedding

Similar dress

Similar jacket

Similar fishnets - Target

Shoes - Schuler shoes

Similar necklace & Earrings

Similar ring

In this outfit, I decided to wear all of my black silk and all of my jade jewelry.  While that sounds crazy, I think it turned out pretty good.  

I really love this dress.  I got it at a vintage store with an awkward group fitting room and when I put it on, all of the other girls in the room went "ooh".  So I bought it.  I thought it would become my little black dress, but because it's silk, I think it's a little fancy to be so versatile.  I've only worn it twice, but I'll probably keep it forever because it's so timeless and unassuming while being completely fabulous.

 Art Sale

Similar blouse - Stephanie's

Skirt

Similar tights - Target

Boots

Similar earrings

I completely butchered the print on this shirt.  It's really more art deco than jagged fangs.

Cabaret

Similar dress

Similar fishnets - Target

Similar shoes - DSW

Similar brooch

Similar earrings

Here's a fun one!  I had the opportunity to sing in the annual Christmas cabaret at Nye's piano bar in Minneapolis.  The dress code for performers was to wear something that we considered to be festive.  I opted for a blue velvet dress, even more appropriate considering I sang Blue Christmas and Pretty Paper.  All I needed to complete my look was some dramatic back lighting and a cigarette.

In Production

The Holidays are approaching, which means that I am in full on production mode.  As an artist, I am usually  invited to participate in a few art and craft sales around this time of year.  As a painter, I don't readily have a whole lot of inventory that can be sold at such sales.  Patrons are looking for gifty purchases under $50.  Most of my paintings are over $100.  These do not sell at art and craft sales.  Because of this, I have gotten creative with what I have to offer.  

Last year I bought a ton of interesting picture frames from Goodwill and framed a bunch of prints of my original artwork.

sampling of framed prints

I sold quite a few of these over the Holidays and since then, but I still have a lot left.  I didn't feel like doing the same thing again this year, so to add on to this lot, I decided to take up one of my old past times - sewing.

I used to try to make my own clothes, but was never very good at it.  I was, however, good at simple sewing, like making pillows and tote bags.  About 6 years ago, I made my first bag for a friend of mine as a gift.  She's been carrying it around every day for 6 years and this is what it looks like today.

It's been well loved, that's for sure!  She asked me to repair it, which I intend to do, but in the meantime, I made her a whole new bag.  It was frustrating at first, working the kinks out of myself and my sewing machine, but once I got the hang of it, I wanted to make more.  After going through my massive fabric collection, I came up with some great patterns that I could mix and match to make a butt load of fun bags.

Here's what I've made so far:

I can't wait to make more!